When applying for a mortgage, most people focus on their salary, deposit and credit score. But what if you also have investments? Whether you own a Stocks and Shares ISA, receive dividend income, hold an investment portfolio or have built up significant savings, you may wonder whether these assets can improve your chances of getting a mortgage or help you borrow more.
In this guide, we’ll explain how UK mortgage lenders assess investments, whether investment income counts towards affordability, and how having investments could strengthen your mortgage application.
Quick Answer
Yes, having investments can help you get a mortgage, but not always in the way people expect. While most UK mortgage lenders won’t simply add the value of your investments to your income, a strong investment portfolio can improve your overall financial profile. In some cases, lenders may take investment income into account, while private banks and specialist lenders may consider your wider wealth when assessing your application.
If you’re applying for a larger mortgage or have significant assets, speaking to an experienced whole-of-market mortgage broker can help you find lenders whose criteria best suit your circumstances.
The way investments are assessed varies significantly between lenders, making lender selection an important part of the mortgage process.
Who Is This Guide For?
This guide may be useful if you:
- Have an ISA or investment portfolio
- Own shares or investment funds
- Receive dividend income
- Have significant savings
- Are applying for a larger mortgage
- Are a higher earner
- Want to understand how lenders assess wealth
- Are buying a higher-value property
Does Having Investments Help You Get a Mortgage?
Potentially, yes. For some borrowers, particularly those applying for larger mortgages, investments can demonstrate financial resilience and strengthen an application, even if they aren’t used directly in affordability calculations. Having investments doesn’t automatically increase the amount you can borrow, but it can demonstrate financial strength and stability.
Mortgage lenders look at your overall financial position, including:
- Your income
- Your affordability
- Your credit history
- Your deposit
- Your existing financial commitments
A healthy investment portfolio may provide additional reassurance that you’re financially responsible and have assets available if circumstances change.
Do Mortgage Lenders Count Investments as Income?
Sometimes. It depends on both the type of investment and the lender’s criteria.
If you’re applying for a mortgage with investment income, some lenders may consider:
- Dividend income
- Interest from savings
- Rental income from investment properties
- Regular income from investment portfolios
However, many lenders won’t simply use the value of your investments when calculating affordability.
For example, owning a £300,000 investment portfolio doesn’t automatically increase the amount you can borrow.
Instead, lenders are usually more interested in whether those investments generate a sustainable income or strengthen your overall financial position.
| Type of Investment | May Strengthen Your Application | May Count as Income | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stocks & Shares ISA | Yes | Yes | |||
| Dividend-Paying Shares | Yes | Often, subject to lender criteria | |||
| Managed Investment Portfolio | Yes | Sometimes | |||
| Savings Account | Yes | Usually No | |||
| Buy-to-Let Rental Income | Yes | Often |
Can Investments Help You Borrow More?
If you’re applying for an investment portfolio mortgage, or have built up substantial investments alongside your employment income, the lender you choose can make a significant difference. If your investments generate regular income, some lenders may include part or all of that income when assessing affordability.
Higher-net-worth borrowers may also benefit from lenders that take a more holistic view of their finances, particularly where substantial assets or investments are held.
The amount you can borrow will still depend on factors such as:
- Employment income
- Affordability
- Existing debts
- Loan-to-income limits
- Individual lender criteria
What Types of Investments May Help?
Depending on the lender, investments that could strengthen a mortgage application include:
- Stocks and shares ISAs
- General investment accounts
- Unit trusts
- OEICs
- Investment bonds
- Dividend-paying shares
- Managed investment portfolios
- Buy-to-let property investments
The way these are assessed varies significantly between lenders.
Do Private Banks View Investments Differently?
Yes. Private banks and some specialist lenders often take a broader view of a client’s finances.
For some higher-net-worth borrowers, a private bank mortgage may provide greater flexibility than a traditional high street lender, particularly where significant investments form part of their overall wealth.
Rather than focusing solely on employment income, they may also consider:
- Investment portfolios
- Liquid assets
- Existing wealth
- Future earning potential
- Overall financial strength
This can be particularly helpful for borrowers seeking larger mortgages, bespoke lending solutions or a high-net-worth mortgage.
What Documents Will You Need?
If your investments form part of your mortgage application, lenders may request:
- Investment portfolio statements
- ISA statements
- Dividend vouchers
- Tax returns
- Bank statements
- Evidence of investment income
- Evidence of share ownership (where relevant)
Providing clear documentation can help the underwriting process run more smoothly.
Common Misconceptions
Many borrowers believe:
- Investments automatically increase borrowing capacity.
- Every lender assesses investments in the same way.
- Investment portfolios can always replace employment income.
- Savings and investments are treated identically.
- Only private banks consider investment assets.
In reality, lender criteria vary considerably.
Oportfolio Insight
Across London and the South East, we’re helping more professionals whose wealth extends beyond their monthly salary.
Many of our clients hold substantial investment portfolios alongside employment income, including ISAs, share portfolios, investment funds and other assets. Understanding how different lenders assess those investments is often just as important as finding a competitive mortgage rate.
While investments don’t automatically increase borrowing capacity, they can strengthen your overall financial profile. Choosing a lender that understands more complex financial circumstances can make a significant difference, particularly for larger mortgages and higher-value properties.
Key Takeaways
- Having investments can strengthen your mortgage application.
- Some lenders will consider investment income when assessing affordability.
- Not every lender assesses investments in the same way.
- Private banks and specialist lenders may take a broader view of your wealth.
- Speaking to an experienced whole-of-market mortgage broker can help you identify the most suitable lender.
In Summary
Having investments won’t automatically increase the amount you can borrow, but they can strengthen your mortgage application and, in some cases, contribute towards affordability. Every lender assesses investments differently, so choosing the right lender is key. If you’re applying for a larger mortgage or have a more complex financial profile, professional mortgage advice can help you find the most suitable solution.
Need Mortgage Advice?
Whether you have an ISA, investment portfolio, dividend income or a more complex financial profile, we’re here to help.
At Oportfolio Mortgages, we regularly assist professionals, investors and higher-net-worth clients with complex financial circumstances. We’ll compare lenders from across the market and recommend a mortgage that’s tailored to your individual situation.
Get in touch today for a no-obligation conversation with one of our experienced mortgage advisers.
FAQ: Getting a Mortgage With Investments
Can investment income be used for a mortgage?
Some lenders will consider regular investment income, such as dividends or interest, subject to their criteria.
Do mortgage lenders look at savings and investments?
Yes. Many lenders will review your savings and investments as part of their assessment, particularly for larger mortgage applications.
Can an ISA help with a mortgage application?
An ISA can demonstrate financial stability and provide funds for a deposit. Some lenders may also consider any income generated by investments held within an ISA where appropriate.
Do private banks consider investment portfolios?
Yes. Private banks often take a broader view of a client's overall wealth and may consider investment portfolios alongside income when assessing larger mortgage applications.
